Low apolipoprotein A-IV plasma concentrations in men with coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation between apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) plasma concentrations and coronary artery di sease (CAD). BACKGROUND Experimental in vitro and in vivo studies favor apoA-IV to be pr otective against the development of atherosclerosis. Mice that overexpress either human or mouse apoA-IV demonstrated a significant reduction of aorti c atherosclerotic lesions compared with control mice. Data on apoA-IV plasm a concentrations and CAD in humans are lacking. METHODS We determined in two independent case-control studies of a Caucasia n and an Asian Indian population whether apoA-IV plasma concentrations are related to the presence of angiographically assessed CAD. RESULTS Plasma apoA-IV levels were significantly lower in 114 male Caucasia n subjects with angiographically defined CAD when compared with 114 age-adj usted male controls (10.2 +/- 3.8 mg/dL vs. 15.1 +/- 4.0 mg/dL, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the association between apoA-I V levels and CAD was independent of the high-density lipoprotein cholestero l and triglyceride concentrations. The inverse relationship between plasma levels of apoA-IV and the presence of CAD was confirmed in an independent s ample of 68 male Asian Indians with angiographically documented CAD and 68 age-matched controls. CONCLUSIONS The results of this cross-sectional study demonstrate for the f irst time an association between low apoA-IV concentrations and CAD in huma ns and suggest that apoA-IV may play an antiatherogenic role in humans. (C) 2000 by the American College of Cardiology.